Preview Game 91: Phillies vs. Cubs

Offense? Check.

Pitching? Check.

The Phillies had both covered last night in a 10-1 laugher at the expense of the Cubs, who had been making a surge in the NL Central. But the Phillies are continuing to roll as they go for their tenth straight win tonight.

Joe Blanton gets the start tonight for the Phillies. Blanton has only faced the Cubs once but he received a no-decision after 5.2 innings of two-run baseball last August. The Phillies lost that game 3-2. Blanton has won two straight games and has allowed one run in 14.2 innings in his last two starts.

For Chicago the pitcher on the mound will be Blanton’s former Oakland teammate, Rich Harden. Harden was acquired by the Cubs last year in a move to put the Cubs over the top and become the team to beat. The Phillies traded for Blanton, also from Oakland, and that move actually paid off better for the Phillies.

Harden enters tonight with a 1-0 record over the Phillies in two career starts. He is also 4-1 on the road this year, which evens up his season record at 6-6. Harden has pitched just 80 innings this season but has racked up 90 strike outs. He has walked 36 batters.

The Phillies brought their home record to .500 with last night’s win. The Phillies are now 23-23 at Citizens Bank Park and have won six straight at home. The Cubs are 20-26 on the road.

Phillies Record: 52-38
Cubs Record: 47-44

NL East Standings (Team, record, games behind)

1. PHILLIES 52-38, –
2. Braves 47-46, 6.5
3. Marlins 47-47, 7.0
4. Mets 44-48, 9.0
5. Nationals 26-66, 27.0

Pitching probables: Blanton (6-4, 4.44 ERA) vs. Harden (6-6, 5.06 ERA)

TV: Comcast Sportsnet (Philadelphia)

First pitch: 7:05pm

Season Series: Phillies lead 1-0

7.20 CHICAGO CUBS Preview/Open Thread/Recap

Open thread for the game will be posted at 6:30pm. Game recap will be up tomorrow morning.

Phillies Fans are on Roy Halladay Watch

Now that the Pedro Watch is officially over, it is time to shift the focus back on the ever changing Roy Halladay sweepstakes and how the Phillies fit in.

Let’s take a moment to look at the situation.

The Toronto Blue Jays have announced that they will entertain offers for their Cy Young award winning pitcher, but have also said they do not mind waiting until the deadline to make the deal that best fits the Blue Jays. Mind you that means they could end up keeping Halladay, and who could blame them as Halladay is among the best pitchers in the game.

The Phillies have long been rumored to be a front runner to obtain Halladay, with the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees finding their name in the conversation as well.

Phillies fans want Halladay, but not at the expense that may be required. Today, Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman said that the Phillies would be unwilling to trade away top pitching prospect Kyle Drabek, a name that could be considered a deal breaker. Other names that have been rumored to be part of various deals include minor leaguers Michael Taylor, Dominic Brown, Lou Marson, Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald and current Phillie JA Happ.

There in lies the sticking point.

Happ has won the fans’ support to keep him in town at all costs. To date, Happ has a perfect 7-0 record and has filled in at the fifth starter’s spot after Chan Ho Park faltered early in the season. Happ also carries one of the best ERA’s in the National League, and some consider Happ a leading candidate for NL Rookie of the Year. That’s all fine and dandy but as far as I’m concerned, if losing Happ means Halladay suits up in red pin stripes, it was nice knowing him.

I continue to be amazed at the overwhelming opinion that Happ should be untouchable. Let’s compare Happ and Halladay to date.

HAPP: 7-0, 2.68 ERA, 65 K, 33 BB, 1.15 WHIP
HALLADAY: 11-3, 2.73 ERA, 113 K, 17 BB, 1.07 WHIP

Halladay clearly has the advantage over Happ in every category, except he has a slightly higher earned run average. Keep in mind though that Halladay is pitching in a better offensive league, and has not faced the Phillies. Halladay has also not factored in a decision only four times this entire season. Happ, who took over a starting job on May 23 has not been handed a decision in six games. To his credit though, Happ has had some games blown after his departure and he left a couple games in a tie game.

So if somebody can tell me what the advantage of Happ, who has pitched mostly against mostly mediocre teams, is over Halladay I would love to hear it.

I will go on record and state that I would like to see the Phillies acquire Halladay at just about any cost, involving any of the players mentioned previously. This Phillies team is clearly built to win now, and while they are running away with the NL East they should not be complacent.

There is little room for standing still as the top competition within their own league has improved. The object at this stage for the franchise is now to win division titles and raise white flags with blue numbers.

This franchise has reached the level where anything other than red flags with white numbers is not good enough. Halladay gives the Phillies a better chance to win it all than Happ does.

It’s just that simple.

When Brett Myers Bounces Back, Who’ll Be Bumped from the Bullpen?

The entire Phillies pitching staff seems to be doing well right now. What would happen if Brett Myers were to return?

Myers, on the disabled list since May 28, says that he is ahead of schedule with his rehab and there is a belief that he could return to the team in some capacity by mid-August. Myers has stated that he will not have enough time to get prepared enough to throw 100 pitches, so a stint in the bullpen seems most likely for the former closer.

“There’s no time for me to get up to 100 pitches,” he said. “I’m not going to help the team if I go four innings. That’s not going to help anybody.”
—Brett Myers via Phillies.com

Adding Myers to the bullpen would be an interesting move. Which reliever would get bumped out of the mix? Clay Condrey? Looking at the group today, it would seem Condrey would be the first man out.

Figure the team will have five starters when Myers comes back and that rotation could include some new names such as Roy Halladay and/or Pedro Martinez.

Whatever happens with the pitching, it seems like it will be a good problem to have; too many arms are always a better problem to have than not enough.

Raul To the Rescue: Ibanez and Phillies Power Past Cubs, 10-1

Just when the Roy Halladay rumors started to hit high gear in Philadelphia, the current starting pitching got hot. Last night Rodrigo Lopez went six full innings, allowed one run on five hits, and struck out five batters, as the offense put a ten spot on the scoreboard. The Phillies beat the Cubs 10-1 to extend their winning streak to nine games.

The Phillies wasted no time getting to Cubs starter Ted Lilly. In the first inning, with Jimmy Rollins at third base and Shane Victorino at second base, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard failed to bring a run home. But Raul Ibanez saved the day with his 25th home run to dead center field to give the Phillies an early 3-0 lead.

Carlos Ruiz chipped in with a deep home run to right field in the second inning to put the Phillies up 5-0. After bringing four runs across the plate in the fourth inning the Phillies had all but put the Cubs away for the night. Ryan Howard added a solo home run, his 24th of the season in the eighth inning, to get the Phillies to double digits in runs scored.

Chad Durbin pitched three innings of relief and picked up a save in the game.

Phillies-Cubs: Preview Game 90

The Phillies are happy with the way things are going. Will they keep up the momentum against some tougher competition at Citizens Bank Park?

Until recently, playing at home has been a detriment to the team. If not for an abysmal home record up through the end of June the Phillies could probably find themselves up at least 10 games in the division. Regardless, the Phillies have a nice buffer between them and the Atlanta Braves.

To keep the momentum going, the Phillies will hope that Rodrigo Lopez can rebound after a short outing. Lopez left his last outing early with inflammation in his elbow.

Lopez has had a pair of quality outings despite his injury and has helped keep the Phillies’ starting rotation above water at the fifth spot. In his career against the Cubs, though, Lopez is 0-1 in one start, allowing eight runs on nine hits in just 4.2 innings—but that was back in 2007.

The Cubs will send one of the better pitchers in the league to oppose the Phillies’ offense. Ted Lilly enters with a 9-6 record, but is riding a two-game win streak. Lilly leads the Cubs in strikeouts with 101 and innings pitched with 119. He is also coming back from some inflammation in his left knee.

The Phillies have had success against the Cubs’ starter, though, as they are 1-3 against Lilly in his career. Lilly’s ERA against the Phillies is 4.88 and his road record this season is 3-5 with a 4.66 ERA.

The Phillies have upped their home record to 22-23 and are looking to be at .500 for the first time in a long time. The Cubs enter with a 20-25 road record and a four-game winning streak. The Phillies have a major league best eight-game winning streak.

Phillies Record: 51-38
Cubs Record: 47-43

NL East Standings (team, record, games behind):

 

1. PHILLIES 51-38, –
2. Braves 46-46, 6.5
3. Marlins 46-47, 7.0
4. Mets 43-48, 9.0
5. Nationals 26-65, 26.0

Pitching probables: Lopez (1-0, 3.18 ERA) vs. Lilly (9-6, 3.18 ERA)

TV: My Phl 17, ESPN

First Pitch: 7:05pm

Season Series: First meeting.

Open thread for the game will be posted at 6:30 p.m. Game recap will be up tomorrow morning.

How Did Lenny Dykstra NOT Win MVP in ’93?

Last week I posed this question on Twitter.

Lenny Dykstra was the catalyst of the 1993 Phillies that took the baseball world by surprise en route to a National League pennant. Those same Phillies took the defending world champion Toronto Blue Jays to six games before running out of steam at the end but Dykstra did everything he could to bring the franchise’s second world championship home.

As you may know, Dykstra did not win the National League’s MVP that season. A man by the name of Barry Bonds picked up his third career MVP award, with Dykstra coming in second place. To this day many Phillies fans still question that decision so let’s take a closer look at Dykstra and Bonds.

Runs Scored

1. 143 – Dykstra
2. 129 – Bonds

It comes as no surprise to see Dykstra with the edge in this category. Dykstra was one of the most patient batters in the league and he batted leadoff, where Bonds batted clean up.

Once Dykstra got on base he had guys like Darren Daulton and John Kruk to drive him home. Bonds did not have that kind of support, although he had some talented players behind him.

Hits

1. 194 – Dykstra
2. 181 – Bonds

Just like runs scored, it should not be a surprise to see Dykstra on top of this list, especially considering he had 98 more at bats in the lead off spot. If you recognize the surplus in opportunities when compared to Bonds then you could say that Dykstra should have run away in this category. Fair point.

Home Runs

1. 46 – Bonds
2. 19 – Dykstra

Two different types of players. Bonds was the prototypical home run basher and Dykstra was the scrappy leg it out player. Bonds’ 46 home runs was tied for the most in baseball in 1993. Leading the league in home runs usually helps you on your way to capturing an MVP award. Just ask Ryan Howard.

RBI

1. 123 – Bonds
2. 66 – Dykstra

Naturally, when you lead the league in home runs you are bound to pile up in the runs batted in department. This is the case here, but again it should be pointed out the place each player batted in the lineup. A player batting clean up should rack up more runs batted in than a lead off hitter.

Walks

1. 129 – Dykstra
2. 126 – Bonds

Again, Dykstra has the edge in this department, but keep in mind two things. the first is that Dykstra saw 98 more plate appearances than Bonds due to his lead off spot. That being said perhaps it would be more impressive if he had more, as patient and disciplined as he was.

But then consider this as well. Bonds was much more likely to be intentionally walked as teams would shy away from pitching to the home run hitter. Bonds lead the league with 43 intentional walks. Dykstra was issued an intentional walk just nine times.

So how do you judge the total walks and intentional walks. Intentional walks, in some cases, is a sign of respect for a player’s bat and that is the case for Bonds. But if you are looking for which batter had a better approach at the plate, you could make an argument for Dykstra.

Stolen Bases

1. 37 – Dykstra
2. 29 – Bonds

Which player was a bigger threat on the bases? Dykstra, hands down. Of course, Bonds hit almost 30 home runs so he did not have to steal as many bases.

OPS

1. 1.136 – Bonds
2. .902 – Dykstra

This is probably where Bonds gets the final push for votes over Dykstra. The OPS is a player’s on base percentage plus a player’s slugging percentage. It gives you a sense of how powerful a player is in a a lineup and Bonds definitely gets the edge here. In fact in the top ten in the NL MVP voting Dykstra was fourth in this statistic.

But sometimes when you consider who should be the MVP you have to ask yourself one question; what does that one player have to do with his team’s success?

Bonds put up terrific numbers that 1993 season, and so did Dykstra. Dykstra did one thing that Bonds could not, and that was push his team into the playoffs by way of capturing a division crown.

Critics to that philosophy will point to the records of the Phillies and Giants that year and say that Bonds’ Giants were actually a better team (they were with 103 wins, six more than the Phillies) and just fell short to the Atlanta Braves and their 104 wins on the final day of the regular season.

To which I argue that Bonds put up great numbers on a superior team and still couldn’t get his team over the edge? Here is the other side of the argument. How valuable was he then?

It is well documented that Dykstra’s Phillies went from worst-to-first in the NL East, improving their win total by 27 games from 1992 to 1993. But Bonds took a 72 win Giants team in 1992 to a 103 win team in 1993, an improvement of 31 wins. Bonds did make a difference, and he did so with more of an immediate impact than Dykstra did.

In retrospect, maybe Bonds did deserve the NL MVP award over Dykstra. What do you think?

Philadelphia Phillies First Half Report Card: Outfielders

Today marks the last day off for the all star break and the past couple days we have handed out midterm grades to the Phillies infielders and their pitchers.

Today, on the final day of the break for the Phillies, we finish up by assessing the outfielders. Things have been pretty stable in the outfield as the Phillies sent their entire starting outfield to St. Louis for the all star game. The backups are not bad either.

Raul Ibanez, Left Field
.309 AVG, 80 H, 22 HR, 60 RBI

When Pat Burrell left the Phillies the fan support was so overwhelming for the long-time Phillie that the addition of Raul Ibanez was initially met with mediocre response. Some fans wanted the Phillies to make a push for Manny Ramirez if they were not going to bring back Burrell.

Ibanez has done his part, though, to win over the fans in a way no other Philadelphia free agent athlete has ever done before.

Ibanez has played like an MVP through the first half of the season and despite missing twenty games due to injury, he still finds himself among the team leaders in a number of categories. Now that he is back the question remains as to whether or not he will have as much of an impact on offense.

His defense and base running has been somewhat of a surprise to most fans as well, making most everyone forget about Burrell. If he continues to play this well the Phillies can put themselves back at the top of the National League by the end of the regular season.

Ibanez was voted to be a starter in his first career all-star game.

First half grade: A+

Shane Victorino, Center Field
.309 AVG, 108 H, 6 HR, 42 RBI

Shane Victorino has been more of a spark plug at the top of the batting lineup this season as Jimmy Rollins had gone through some struggles. Because Rollins’s production had been down for a long time one can only imagine where Victorino’s RBI total would be with an effective Rollins.

Victorino not only gets the job done on the base paths (15 stolen bases, caught stealing five times) but he also continues to excel in the field. Coming off of his first Gold Glove award in 2008, Victorino is making a case for a repeat in 2009. His .995 fielding percentage is among the leaders in the league.

Victorino also was selected to his first all-star game by winning the Final Vote.

First half grade: A

Jayson Werth, Right Field
.263 AVG, 81 H, 20 HR, 56 RBI

Jayson Werth has quietly had a nice season, worthy of making his first all star game as well. Werth is just four home runs shy of his career high and is on pace for a career high in total hits. He is also just eleven runs batted in shy of another career high.

Werth is also showing more patience at the plate it seems as he is five walks shy of his career high. When he gets on base he can be dangerous as he has 12 stolen bases, including one successful steal of home against the Dodgers.

Werth’s defense has been solid as well. He has been charged with a pair of errors but has been a part of one double play and has picked up seven outfield assists. Opposing base runners know they can not sleep on Werth as he also has shown the ability to throw a runner out at first base in the right situations.

First half grade: A

John Mayberry Jr., Left Field
.184 AVG, 9 H, 4 HR, 8 RBI

The young John Mayberry Jr. had a wonderful debut in New York against the Yankees, but since then he has been quiet. Mayberry has struck out 19 times, picking up some at bats with the absence of Ibanez.

Mayberry may in fact not be major league ready at this time but the Phillies are lacking right handed options on offense. The Phillies have had little choice but to keep Mayberry up in Philadelphia rather than playing every day at triple A Lehigh Valley.

You do not want to be too hard on the rookie as his playing time is scarce, but unless he can get some more hits (and not necessarily home runs), Mayberry has been poor.

First half grade: D

Matt Stairs, Right Field
.283 AVG, 17 H, 4 HR, 13 RBI

Matt Stairs has taken over the role of best pinch hitter from Greg Dobbs. The folk hero provides the Phillies with a true professional hitter in a pinch hit situation and he is not afraid to swing and take pitches. It is rare to find a player who can be both patient and swing happy.

Stairs has picked up four home runs this season and has been used mostly as a pinch hitter late in games when the Phillies need a big hit. Stairs delivers clutch hits but he also provides clutch walks that extend rallies.

For his role on this team, Stairs has done a fine job.

First half grade: A-

The outfielders have probably been the most consistent area of the team. The infield may be the core of this Phillies team but the outfield to this point has been the better unit. Three players from the outfield went to the all star game and two of them started, although Victorino was a fill in for an injured player in the starting lineup.

The defense is as good as it has been in years in all three parts of the outfield and the offense may be the best out of an outfield unit the Phillies have seen in years.

So what are your thoughts on the Phillies outfielders? Are these grades too high or too low (doubt that)? What do you expect to see in the second half of the season?

Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Game Recap

It was supposed to be a homecoming he would never forget. He may never forget it, but it will now be for some of the wrong reasons.

Ryan Howard, the St. Louis native, struck out in his pinch hitting appearance in the eighth inning with the game’s tying and potential winning run in scoring position. Mighty Howard got fooled on a bad pitch and struck out.

The American League, which has not lost an all star game in 13 years (their last loss came in 1996 at Veterans Stadium), pulled out a tight 4-3 win over the National League.

The rest of the Phillies did not fare too much better, but this should have been no surprise for Phillies fans as the defending world champions have struggled against the American League all season unless they wear New York pinstripes.

Chase Utley went 0-for-2 but had some nice plays in the field. Raul Ibanez, making his first all star appearance in his long career, also went 0-for-2. Reserve player Jayson Werth struck out in his only at bat but made the second best catch of the night to end a threat from the American League.

Shane Victorino had the best night for the Phillies representatives, knocking a two-out hit in the bottom of the second inning and scoring on an error at third base on a base hit by St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina. Victorino’s run tied the game at two and the National League went on to score one more run in the inning.

Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay got the start for the American League. Halladay, who is the hot topic in Phillies trade rumors right now, pitched two innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits.

For Charlie Manuel, he became the first Phillies manager to lose an all star game.

Now it is time to get back to the games that really do count.

Philadelphia Phillies Sign Pedro Martinez

The Philadelphia Phillies are officially reporting that they have agreed to terms with free agent pitcher Pedro Martinez. He signed a one-year contract worth $1 million, including $1.5 million in incentives.

The Phillies are expected to have a press conference sometime today, with the New York Daily News saying that a 12 PM press conference is likely. Stay tuned for confirmation.

The signing of Martinez brings an end to a media frenzy and speculation, but it’s hardly the final piece of the puzzle. Martinez will need a couple of starts in the minor leagues before jumping into the mix in the starting rotation, so expect to hear some details about that today.

The right-handed pitcher may not be the same guy who has won a Cy Young, but he does bring a winning attitude.

Martinez owns a career record of 214-99 with a 2.91 ERA. He went just 5-6 last year with a high ERA, but he says that the passing of his father bothered him and now is ready and focused to pitch. He also says he feels he is in the best shape he has been in over the last few years.

Let the Martinez Experiment begin.

Greatest Phillie in the Last 50 Years? Mike Schmidt or Steve Carlton?

Choosing between the two is like asking which child is your favorite. You love them both and would never want to place one above the other. But 950 ESPN is asking you to do just that with a poll this week on their website.

Each week the Philadelphia sports radio station is polling listeners asking for their input on the best athlete for each of the Philadelphia teams, culminating with a poll pitting the best of the best between each other to determine the best Philadelphia athlete over the last 50 years.

Wilt Chamberlain won the vote for the best Sixer over the last 50 years and this week they are looking for the best Phillies player over the last 50 years.

Your options are Richie Ashburn, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Robin Roberts, Ryan Howard, and Chase Utley.

I have some issues with this poll right from the start but the fans at least are showing that this really is just a two man race; Carlton at the moment has 57 percent of the votes and Schmidt has 35 percent of the votes. Chase Utley is in a distant third with 3 percent of the votes, Ashburn behind him with 2 percent.

Let me get the most annoying part off my chest; Richie Ashburn does not deserve to be on this poll. Seriously. Ashburn is one of the best players in franchise history, but judging by the foundation for the poll and the restriction of the last 50 years should eliminate Ashburn from discussion.

Ashburn did play the 1959 season with the Phillies, so he does fall under the 50 year guideline, but the 1959 season was Ashburn’s worst with the Phillies. His 20 runs batted in were the worst of his Phillies tenure, and his nine stolen bases were tied for a low with the Phillies. His .266 batting average also ranks at the bottom for his Phillies career. Want more? With 150 hits Ashburn had his worst season as a Phillie in 1959.

What I am trying to say is that Ashburn not only is not the best Phillie in the last 50 years, but to have him on the poll is a crime. Now what about Robin Roberts?

Roberts is one of the best pitchers in Phillies’ franchise history, evidenced by his retired number. With no disrespect intended for the Hall of Famer, Roberts also does not belong on this list, going with the guideline of the last 50 years.

Roberts played for the Phillies between 1948 and 1961, but for the purposes of this poll, I only take into account his 1959-1961 seasons.

In those three seasons Roberts went 28-43, including 1-10 in 1961, failing to record a winning season in each of those three seasons. He also suffered the worst three seasons in regards to ERA while with the Phillies and he only finished five games (after finishing an average of 21.6 games each season from 1948 to 1958).

So what am I saying here?

If 950 ESPN is going to do this poll they should at least put some research and thought into their poll selections. Carlton or Schmidt should win this poll no matter what players they are up against, but at least give the correct options.

The two players who should be on this poll before Ashburn and Roberts are Jimmy Rollins and Curt Schilling.

Rollins has put together 150+ hit seasons from 2001 to last season, lead the team in triples four times, put together an MVP season, stole 311 bases, scored 896 runs, recorded over 1,500 hits and picked up a pair of Gold Glove awards.

Schilling put together 95 wins in Phillies pin stripes and was the ace of the 1993 World Series runners up. The three-time Phillies All-Star pitched 15 complete games in 1998 when the Phillies were 75-87. In today’s age that is almost as close to Carlton’s 27 win 1972 season as you can get.

Now my final riff. This one is with the voters who are creating a landslide for Carlton over Schmidt. Again, Carlton and Schmidt are unquestionably two of the best players in franchise history, so choosing either one of them makes sense just about any way you pose the question.

But Schmidt is the best third baseman of all time. Again; of all time.

The vote should be in favor of Schmidt because as good as Carlton was, not even he is a landslide to be named the best pitcher, or maybe even left handed pitcher, of all time. To vote against someone who is unanimously recognized as the epitome of a position is just ludicrous.

Schmidt is a 10-time Gold Glove winner, though some may beg to differ, a twelve time All-Star selection, six time Silver Slugger winner, three time NL MVP, and a World Series MVP.

Yes, Carlton has four NL Cy Young Awards but Schmidt clearly had more competition for the MVP award. Schmidt also played every day at one of the toughest positions in the field.

Be smart people. Vote Schmidt.

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